-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001220459-04-000001.txt : 20040831
<SEC-HEADER>0001220459-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040831
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040831175339
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001220459-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040830
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040831
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040831

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JONES LORI A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001220459

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-13111
		FILM NUMBER:		041009392

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11900 CROWNPOINT DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			SAN ANTONIO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			70233
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2106571500

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ANALYTICAL SURVEYS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000753048
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC [7389]
		IRS NUMBER:				840846389
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11900 CROWNPOINT DRIVE
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			SAN ANTONIO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78233
		BUSINESS PHONE:		210-657-1500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11900 CROWNPOINT DRIVE
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			SAN ANTONIO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78233
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000753048</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ANALYTICAL SURVEYS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>anlt</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001220459</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JONES LORI A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Financial Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.73</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Pursuant to exercise of stock option</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">5,000 shares beneficially owned through vested stock options</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Lori Jones</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----